Page 65 of Big Red

I nod, trying to keep my tears at bay, but my eyes pool with them. Red’s silhouette is blurry from holding them back.

Hooking a finger under my chin, he brings my gaze up. “I love you.”

And just like that, the dam breaks. My tears flow endlessly. Red tries to keep up with wiping them away, but I have so many emotions going on that I can’t even keep up.

I want to jump in his arms and tell him I love him too, but the fear of possibly making another mistake stops me. Then all the words from last night come ringing in my head again.

No relationship is perfect. You have to be able to forgive and admit when you’re wrong.

Don’t let fear be the reason you miss out on the man of your dreams.

Red isn’t Declan.

Just like that, everything comes together like a crash course.

Yes, he messed up, but it doesn’t define our relationship. The pull I have toward Red almost feels like our souls were tied the moment he swept me into his arms.

Staying away from him this past month made me not only emotionally sick but physically. This man was meant for me, and I was meant for him.

“I love you, too.”

Red smiles wide before kissing me and making my toes curl. Looping my arms around his neck, I tilt my head, allowing him to drop his tongue into my mouth.

“The children are out here, you two!” Thor scolds.

Everyone laughs uncontrollably as Red pulls away. He keeps an arm around me as Cindy steps forward. It's then that I notice a gift bag in her hand.

“I don’t want you to be my girlfriend, Alice,” Red tells me. My heart rate speeds up and my cheeks heat.

Did I misunderstand him?

“I want you to be my ol’ lady and eventually my wife.”

I definitely misunderstood him.

My mouth falls open as Red drops to one knee. He holds his hand out to Colt, who pulls a ring box out of his pocket and drops it into Red’s hand. Cindy rips the paper out of the gift bag and pulls out a cut that readsProperty of Big Redon the back. She holds it up, cheesing at me like this is the best day ofherlife.

I return her smile with just as much warmth before focusing on Red. He opens the ring box, and I nearly faint at the size of this diamond. It’s a beautiful emerald-cut diamond that has to be three carats.

Red grabs my shaky hand and kisses the back out of it. “So, tell me, kitten, will you be mine?”

I don’t even need to think about it. My head was bobbing up and down before he could even finish. “Yes!”

The crowd cheers as Red places the rock on my finger and pulls me into his embrace. It’s not long before the kids insert themselves between us, making us laugh.

“You have to put your cut on, Mom.” Cindy's eyes bulge at the slip. She looks away quickly. She tries to take a few steps back, but I grab her hand, stopping her.

I stare at Red silently, asking for permission. He nods with a beaming smile. Dropping down to my knees, I look her and Colt in the eyes. “If it’s okay with you two, I would be honored to be your mom.”

Hearing their sharp intake of breath, I watch as their eyes gloss over before they rush forward, wrapping me in a hug that almost knocks me over.

I don’t know how I have any tears left, but they continue streaming down my face.

I haven’t been this happy in a long time. I never thought I would ever be grateful for Declan laying his hands on me, but I wouldn’t take back what happened in that parking lot even if I could.

It led me here.

To my new friends.

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